Choose Your Cruise – June 26, 2020
Throughout the COVID-19 situation, we’ve been adamant that there’s never been a better time to book a future cruise. With talk of a vaccine coming later this year, life in 2021 or 2022 is going to be business as usual for cruise lines and the world at large. Rather than wait to book your
A Healthy Scarlet Lady Heads Back to Europe
It was a beautiful March morning in Miami when Virgin Voyages’ first ship Scarlet Lady slid gracefully into her berth at PortMiami. The excitement was palpable as the sleek grey and red vessel arrived, despite a warning from the State Department against cruising as COVID-19 was spreading the world
“Cruising” California By Land
What appeared to be a brief pause in cruising at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown has turned into a wanderlust nightmare. For three months we’ve had our bags packed with fingers crossed, desperately scanning the news for a sign from the travel gods blessing us with an end to the grueling absence
REPORT: Europe to Reopen, But Not For Americans
According to a breaking news report from the New York Times this afternoon, Americans could be barred from entering European Union countries as they begin to reopen due to rising infection rates in several major states. NY Times journalist Matina Stevis-Gridneff reported that along with the United S
Take a Road Trip Along Maine’s Lobster Trail
There’s a reason why cruise ship dining rooms are always packed on lobster tail night. The succulent crustaceans are widely considered a prized delicacy for their rich flavor and the luxury status which accompanies dining on them. However, we’re here to make one thing very clear; not all lobster
MSC Cruises Announces New Homeport For Two Ships
Fort Lauderdale-based MSC Cruises has announced that Port Canaveral will be the new homeport for two of their ships this upcoming winter. MSC Seaside will begin sailing from Port Canaveral beginning in November and MSC Divina at the end of March 2021. This will be the first time MSC Cruises has used
American Queen Steamboat Company Partners with Uniworld
When Uniworld Boutique River Cruises cancelled their summer itineraries due to COVID-19, many passengers were left frustrated that their upcoming cruise was no longer. Many had the trip booked long before the global pandemic and were left high and dry when travel restrictions kicked in across the gl
ANTI-SOCIAL DISTANCING? Solo Cruising in the Covid-19 Era
When I think of cruising in the Covid-19 era, the chorus of Eric Carmen’s 1975 pop hit “All By Myself” wafts through my mind because, more often than not, I sail solo. People sail solo for a lot of reasons. Perhaps they’re single, divorced or widowed, or maybe they’re stressed-out bu
Virgin Voyages Releases ‘Voyage Well’ Plan
We’re inching closer and closer to cruising again and another well-known cruise line has released a health and wellness program designed to give guests and crew confidence in the safety of a cruise vacation. Virgin Voyages has introduced their new ‘Voyage Well’ plan for the soft opening of Sca
Bali Resort Looks to Entice Guests with Extended Stays
The Indonesian island of Bali takes up a spot on most bucket lists and one resort on the island is offering extended stay options for people looking for an isolated vacation away from the crowds. Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana has a new “Extended Stay for Greater Value” package in which gues
Vacationing in Porto Back Yarda
As the return of cruising seems to be within reach, it’s time to mitigate lockdown loneliness. My brother Nick Leland sets it up perfectly in the song he wrote and recorded, Porto Back Yarda, a domesticated ode to travel wanderlust when travel isn’t possible. The song serves as a roadmap t
Caribbean Icon Robert Hamaty Passes Away
The cruise and travel industry lost a familiar face over the weekend as Robert Hamaty, founder of the Tortuga Rum Company, passed away at the age of 72. The company’s famous rum flavored treats and souvenirs have been a staple of the Caribbean since they first began back in 1984. Hamaty was origin
River Cruising Returning to Australia
Australian cruise operator Captain Cook Cruises is returning their river cruise operations back to normal starting June 23rd on Australia’s Murray River. The 7-night ‘Welcome Back’ cruise on board the beautiful paddlewheel river ship PS Murray Princess from Renmark to Mannum in the Australian
Cruising Will Return…But When is the Question
I’m not one to moan about inconveniences, but take away my life’s passion and I’m likely to go off the deep end. Take away the ability to cruise to the four corners of the earth and you will definitely hear from me. Not to cast blame on anyone in particular or throw caution to the […]
CRUISE RECIPE: MSC Cruises’ Neapolitan Pizza
I’m Hungry to Sail Again… When it comes to MSC’s pizza, I’m something of an expert since that’s pretty much all I consumed during the 2013 and 2014 Moody Blues Cruises aboard Poesia and Divina, respectively. Unlike the typical sailing where leisurely meals in the ship’s dining room or sp
TikTok & Its Travel Influencers: Where to Start Your Virtual Escape
If you’re over 25, maybe you first heard about TikTok about the 400th time you heard “Old Town Road.” I’m not sure I had. But then we did one as a WFH team-building exercise after our millennial assistant sent a couple celebrity tag-team brawls and Zoom meeting pencil passes as inspiration.
Cruising: The Ultimate Thrill Ride
The amusement industry, much like the travel industry, is evolving by leaps and bounds. Cinephiles, for instance, can now enter and interact with the world of Star Wars — like getting on board the Millennium Falcon or an Imperial Star Destroyer — with Star Wars: Galaxy Edge at both Disneyland in
Turks and Caicos Plan to Reopen July 22
Last week, we reported several popular cruising destinations in the Caribbean were in the process of reopening to tourism. Over the weekend, the Turks and Caicos announced plans to reopen the island on July 22, 2020. The island had plans to reopen June 1, but Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, th
CRUISE RECIPE: P&O Cruises’ Chorizo al Vino
I’m Hungry to Sail Again… P&O Cruises, the popular Carnival-owned U.K.-based line, has delayed the launch of its massive, 5,200-passenger ship Iona and the star-studded Ionafest naming celebration until Covid-19’s all-clear is sounded….but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a taste of wh
Canada Bans Cruise Ships Until October 31
In a press release issued this morning, the Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, announced that cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. The news comes as ot